Which of the following correctly explains chemical digestion?

Chemical digestion is the process that involves the chemical breakdown of macromolecules into smaller, absorbable units. During this process, enzymes play a crucial role as they catalyze reactions that break down complex carbohydrates, proteins, and fats into simpler molecules such as sugars, amino acids, and fatty acids.

This transformation is essential for nutrient absorption; without chemical digestion, the body would not be able to utilize the food consumed, as macromolecules in their original form are too large to pass through the intestinal walls. Therefore, chemical digestion is fundamentally about altering the chemical structure of food components, making it possible for the body to effectively utilize them after absorption.

In contrast, fermentation and physical breakdown, while related to food processing, do not define the specific nature of chemical digestion, nor does nutrient absorption represent the breakdown process itself, but rather the subsequent stage following digestion.